Press Release: Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into Sony/BMG recorded music joint-venture

The European Commission has decided to open an in-depth investigation into the merger of the global recorded music businesses of Germany’s Bertelsmann AG and Japan’s Sony Corp. An earlier Commission decision to approve the merger in July 2004 was annulled by the European Court of First Instance (CFI) on 13 July 2006 (see CJE/06/60). The in-depth inquiry will permit thorough analysis of the complex information required in order for the Commission to ascertain whether or not the merger strengthens or creates a dominant position in these relatively concentrated markets. The opening of an in-depth investigation does not prejudge its final result. The Commission now has four months, until 2 July 2007, to reach a final decision on whether to approve or veto the merger.